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Introducing… Kites

• 4th Aug 2010

Introducing KITES: Richard (mechanics) , Matthew (vocals), Taio (guitar) and Georgie (percussion). Glasswerk caught up with them in the midst of recording whilst making a whistlestop tour of the British Isles which, after a brief repose at the end of last month, will keep them busy until November.

Defining Kites's sound is something even they find difficult. In Matthew's articulate words, their music aims “to infuse pop elements with darker sounds…hypnotic 80s pop with a dark underbelly…[it's] jagged music, everything's broken down to a pure format.” “It's 80s with better clothes” says Rich, the band's newest addition; “and better hair!” Georgie, the only girl in the band, adds animatedly. The undeniable presence of the 80s in their music is born from a myriad of both modern and retro influences, including the Cure, Patrick Wolf and “the androgyny of Ziggy Stardust” (Matthew).

The view that “simplicity is beautiful” (Taio) is also evident in the band name. “We wanted a name that people didn't make assumptions about; not like…'Monkey and the Chestnuts” laughs Georgie. Just don't call them THE Kites! They admit they do not take kindly to being categorised with the wave of bands with 'The' preceding their name, with Georgie acknowledging that she would be the most reactionary.

They are four very different people with excellent chemistry, united in their desire to make original music. “You wouldn't introduce Taio to the person you were marrying”, says Matthew, whose own eloquence and dramatic flair makes him a charming, ruminative frontman. “Matthew's language is beautiful…when I string words together it'd be…like tea with raisins in. Bitter. But four-letter words have a lot of impact!” says Taio, the youngest and most concise member. This pacey, familiar banter bodes for thoroughly enjoyable on-stage interaction.

Though together they make harmonious, tightly woven music that is readily-identifiable as Kites, the four each have their own unique style – “we're not the Hives!” declares Matthew when asked if they consciously co-ordinate their wardrobes.Georgie jokingly accuses Matthew of copying her hair. Matthew, who likes to wear white on stage “to suggest I'm purer than I am”, claims Richard wears black on stage “to look sinister”, who immediately retorts drily: “to make me look less fat.” Georgie critiques her own style as well as Taio's; “I look quite good…and wear brogues. Taio wears a scarf and a cardigan” (“my mum always told me to layer,” he explains).

Wardrobe aside, 2010 has been an eventful year for the four of them so far, seeing them play some big London venues and venturing to new and unexplored territory. “Peaks and troughs!” is how Matthew describes their tour so far, which saw them pull out of their Birmingham show due to technical difficults, before being approached by a “lady of the night” in Nottingham just prior to playing a gig full of heavy metal fans – a particular triumph for the band. “People came, watched, stayed, enjoyed it…and they were metal fans!” exclaims Georgie, demonstrating the genre-defying appeal of their music. “They watched in a polite, 'I'm watching the school play' kind of way” Matthew concedes. Just a day later, the four were in the studio in Manchester and recorded their first track – particularly enjoyable for Georgie, who had yet to lay her own drumming down as their demos were recorded in Richard's house using electronic drums.

Despite their laid-back demeanours, Kites are very professional when it comes to music, something which is evident in their tour anecdotes. “We're not particularly rock 'n' roll. In Birmingham there was a fridge full of free beer…we drank squash and played cards” admits Georgie. “To be fair, we made shandies!” interjects Matthew. It's safe to say these kids, with their witty exchanges and earnest approach to success, rarely colour inside the lines. Yet they have clear aims when song-writing: firstly, “to…keep them to a short length and palatable to the human ear so no-one bleeds” (Matthew); “to make them anthemic and memorable” (Georgie); and “to engage people” (the ever-succinct Taio).

With their record release imminent and a string of international dates planned, the likeable Kites look set to become highfliers very soon.